PMI Reading No 60: Strong, and Broad-based

Our manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index
(PMI), the first in Nigeria, rose strongly in March from 54.7 to 59.4. Our
partner, NOI Polls, has gathered and compiled the data.

The index is found in developed markets (such as
the ISM’s in the US), larger emerging markets such as China, India and Brazil,
and a few other frontiers. It is based upon manufacturers’ responses to set
questions on core variables in their businesses. In our case, it is not
seasonally adjusted.

PMIs are forward-looking
indicators of sentiment, and have the proven capacity to move financial markets
in developed economies. Whereas the latest national accounts cover the fourth
quarter (October-December), the latest PMI captures the third month of the
first quarter of 2018.

In the unweighted model of
our choice (the ISM’s), respondents are asked whether output, employment,
new orders, suppliers’ delivery times and stocks of purchases have improved on
the previous month, are unchanged or have declined. A headline reading of 50 is
neutral. We have posted nine negative readings since our launch in April 2013,
the latest in January 2017.

Our sample is an accurate
blend of large, medium-sized and small companies.

We have added “trigger”
questions, which apply when the respondent has the same answer on a sub-index
for two months and then changes it for the third. The more interesting comments
this time underpin the surge in new orders, citing a seasonal boost from Easter
and early orders for election campaign materials in addition to a general rise
in demand.

All the five sub-indices
other than employment improved in March.

We have had the usual
seasonal slump in the index in January and a stable headline reading in
February, followed by a strong rise in March. This would normally point to
robust manufacturing growth in Q1 2018. The emergence of the broader economy
from recession is largely a function of a recovery in oil output (decline in
sabotage).

The headline reading has
been above 50 since March 2017 and was particularly strong in Q4 for seasonal
factors. This turnaround is largely due to the CBN’s experimental fx policy. Fx
abundance has replaced scarcity. This is evident from our PMI readings but also
inflation data, the balance-of-payments and listed company results.

Manufacturing expanded by
5.0% q/q in Q4 2017. The two largest sub-sectors are food, beverages and
tobacco, and textiles, apparel and footwear.Related News

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